ARTICLE SUMMARY #6

ARTICLE SUMMARY #6

Drapeau, V., Therrien, F., Richard, D., & Tremblay, A. (2003). Is visceral obesity a physiological adaptation to stress? Panminerva Medica, 45(3), 189-95.

·         Visceral obesity is associated with a disruption of the functioning of the HPA axis

-       HPA Axis stands for “hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis” and is basically acts as a liaison communicating the interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal glands. It plays a huge  part of the system that controls the body’s  reaction to stress

·         Abdominal fat storage has been associated with when the HPA-Axis is set off by stress

·         HPA axis activation increases cortisol production which has been shown increase appetite, consumption of food and anti-thermogenic effects (this is the opposite of a thermogenic effect which produces weight loss)

·         “Since abdominal adipose tissue has more cells per mass units, higher blood flow and more glucocorticoid receptors, glucocorticoids affect abdominal fat to a greater extent than subcutaneous adipose tissue” (I quoted this because I couldn’t word it any more clearly myself)

·          Cushing's syndrome is evidence that links overproduction of cortisol (hypercortisolemia) and accumulation of central fat.

-       Visually, people with Cushing’s Syndrome are centrally obese. They carry all of their weight in abdominal area and face (“moon face”). They tend to have more slender limbs and a very small bum. There are lots of pictures on the internet if you are interested.

·         “Hervey's hypothesis”suggests that fat cells take up and metabolizes cortisol and has a regulatory effect that adapts the body into accumulating visceral fat in response to stress.

-       Evidence shows obesity is associated with an increased cortisol clearance. Hormonal and enzymatic changes have been implicated in this preferential body fat accumulation in response to stress.

·         Genetics can emphasize this belly fat storage

·         Article discusses that this could be a vicious cycle. People gain weight because stress and excess weight causes stress  - they clearly state that “Even if the available literature does not permit to establish clearly which comes first, it suggests that visceral obesity could represent a non optimal physiological adaptation to stress”

·         Article suggests that treatment of visceral obesity  should focus on stress management to help break the stress/fat circle.